What
if we come across aliens somewhere in the universe? Do we shake hands? Run? Set
phasers to stun? We're not sure how the first encounter will go down, but the
International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Institute has a detailed plan for
how to announce news of an extraterrestrial discovery.
The
search for aliens is not new, and finding alien life isn't totally unthinkable.
Mathematically, the likelihood that alien life exists is overwhelming (Fermi
paradox, anyone?). A function of the IAA SETI Permanent Committee is
to establish protocols to be followed by SETI (search for extraterrestrial
life) scientists in the detection, analysis, verification, announcement, and
response to signals from extraterrestrial intelligence. In 1989, the IAA
adopted the Declaration of
Principles Concerning Activities Following the Detection of Extraterrestrial
Intelligence, which was revised in 2010. It's mainly
referred to as The First Protocol today.
Step 1: FREAK. OUT.
You
can read The First Protocol on the SETI Institute site,
but we broke down the nine-item list down into more easily digestible terms
here:
1.
If you think you've received a signal from
aliens, double check. Like, quadruple check. The most plausible explanation for
whatever you've discovered has got to be extraterrestrial intelligence. If it's
not, go back to the drawing board.
2.
So you think it's aliens, huh? Pump the brakes.
Only tell your fellow researchers and observers so they can independently
confirm what you think you've found.
3.
Wow, congrats, it really is aliens!
Tell more researchers and scientists, specifically through the Central Bureau
for Astronomical Telegrams of the International Astronomical Union. Surely you
have them on speed dial. The IAA has a lengthy list of some other international
institutions you should give the scoop to now.
4.
Here we go. TELL. EVERYONE. Do it promptly. But
why the heck would anyone want to wait?!
5. Time to show the receipts. Make sure all of your
data is available to the international scientific community through
publications, meetings, conferences, etc. FaceTime scientists on the other side
of the globe to show them your happy tears.
6.
Lock it down. Permanently record and store your
evidence to the greatest extent possible. This is your legacy, for goodness
sake: back it up!
7.
If your evidence of alien detection is in the
form of electromagnetic signals, you're going to need to talk to some people at
the International Telecommunication Union to protect it.
8. Hold up: You're trying to send a message back to
the aliens?! That's how intergalactic armageddon gets started! There's a whole
different conversation that needs to happen before we dive into that.
9. Remember, the
SETI Committee of the IAA will keep an eye on your discovery. So don't go tryin'
anything funny on us, aliens.
(curiosity.com/Joanie Faletto)
